Obligations of an Indirect Employer in Case of "Contractualization"

[A]n indirect employer (as defined by Article 107) can only be held solidarily liable with the independent contractor or subcontractor (as provided under Article 109) in the event that the latter fails to pay the wages of its employees (as described in Article 106).

Hence, while it is true that the petitioner was the indirect employer of the complainants, it cannot be held liable in the same way as the employer in every respect. The petitioner may be considered an indirect employer only for purposes of unpaid wages. (G.R. No. 145402, March 14, 2008)